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Sunday, April 18, 2010

So, way back when - before surgery, before radiation, before I had any clue what this year was going to hold for me - I signed up to attend the LDS Storymakers Conference in Provo, Utah. At the time, I thought it would be good for me to sign up for Boot Camp, two sessions of intense manuscript critiquing. Since I've started writing countless novels, but have never even come close to finishing one, I thought this would be the perfect thing to pressure me into getting my ideas out of my head and onto the computer screen. I had until April to come up with something. Plenty of time, I thought. Well, guess what? It's now April. I leave for Provo on Thursday. So, yeah, I've been writing. I've managed to hammer out almost 20 pages. Don't laugh. Considering that I still can't make it through the day without an afternoon nap and a very early bedtime (like 8), I'm actually pretty proud of myself. My pages suck big time, but at least I have pages, right?

Even though writing has kept me from blogging, creating fiction is good for me as a reviewer. It reminds me that crafting a novel is A LOT harder than it looks. It's easy for me to glance at someone else's work and pick out its every weakness - the process becomes much, much more difficult when I'm evaluating my own "baby."

Anyone else going to be in Provo this weekend? I'd love to meet up with some of my "bloggy friends" at the conference. I'm still sad that I won't be in NYC for Book Expo America, but I'm glad I'll be able to do a little bit of book/author hobnobbing in Utah. It's almost the same thing.

All this rambling is my way of explaining why I've been away from the blog for a week. I'm still reading. In fact, I'm in the middle of The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs. Look for a review of the book and a very exciting giveaway on April 23.

I also need to announce the winner of my Kaki Warner giveaway. Congratulations to Linda, who wins a copy of Pieces of Sky (which I reviewed here). If you'll email me your address, I'll send it on to Kaki's publicist, who will get your book in the mail right away.

Oh, so there you are....I was beginning to get worried. What a great trip you have planned. I love taking classes, workshops, and hobnobbing!! Have a great weekend. Us humble, non-writing-just-reading-folk will keep the valley going while you are away!

My mountain of review books grows daily. To see a list of those currently in my possession (physical copies only—e-copies are not listed), click here.

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NOW READING:

Black Souls by Nicole Castroman

UP NEXT:

The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff

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Bookin' Around the States

- Alabama

- Alaska

- Arizona (1)

- Arkansas

- California (3)

-Colorado

- Connecticut (1)

- Delaware

- Florida

- Georgia

- Hawaii

- Idaho

- Illinois

- Indiana

- Iowa

-Kansas

- Kentucky

- Louisiana

- Maine

- Maryland

- Massachusetts

- Michigan

- Minnesota

- Mississippi

- Missouri (1)

- Montana

- Nebraska

- Nevada (1)

- New Hampshire

- New Jersey

- New Mexico

- New York (4)

- North Carolina (2)

- North Dakota

- Ohio

- Oklahoma (2)

- Oregon

- Pennsylvania (2)

- Rhode Island

- South Carolina (1)

- South Dakota

- Tennessee (1)

- Texas (1)

- Utah (1)

- Vermont

- Virginia

- Washington

- West Virginia

- Wisconsin

- Wyoming

- *Washington, D.C.

13 / 50 states. 26% done!

2017 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge

1. A book you choose for the cover—The Secret Ingredient of Wishes by Susan Bishop Crispell2. A book with a reputation for being un-put-down-able—The Missing Hours by Emma Kavanagh3. A book set somewhere you've never been, but would like to visit - The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny4. A book you've already read—Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling5. A juicy memoir—My Story by Elizabeth Smart6. A book about books or reading —The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan7. A book in a genre you usually avoid—Maus by Art Spiegelman8. A book you don't want to admit you're dying to read—Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham9. A book you were excited to buy or borrow but haven't read yet—The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan10. A book about a topic or subject you already love—Trials of the Earth by Mary Mann Hamilton

My Progress:

0 / 10 books. 0% done!

2017 Dystopia Reading Challenge

1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline2. Wool by Hugh Howey3. The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood4. Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden5. One Second After by William R. Forstchen6. Across the Universe by Beth Revis7. Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky8. Born by Tara Brown9. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir10. Red Rising by Pierce Brown11. Consider by Kristy Acevedo12. Bluescreen by Dan Wells13. Starflight by Melissa Landers14. Frost by M.P. Kozlowsky15. Vicarious by Paula Stokes16. Replica by Lauren Oliver